Coronary spasm producing coronary thrombosis in a patient with acute myocardial infarction

A 62-year-old man had an acute myocardial infarction with successful thrombolysis. Coronary spasm was documented in the following angiographic study. This case demonstrated that coronary spasm is implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary thrombosis and subsequent myocardial infarction.     

Novel use of a stent graft for uncontrollable intraprocedural stent thrombosis in a patient with acute myocardial infarction

We report the case of a patient who developed uncontrollable intraprocedural stent thrombosis (IPST) during an emergent percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction that was mitigated only by covering the culprit lesion with a stent graft. Although several factors can induce stent thrombosis, IPST was likely a result of intrastent plaque protrusion in this patient. This is the first case report on the use of stent graft implantation as an effective bailout procedure for uncontrolled IPST. The findings described in this case study warrant the adoption of stent grafts for the complete sealing of plaque protrusion in lesions.     

Cardiac free wall rupture in acute myocardial infarction: ameliorative effect of coronary reperfusion.

To investigate the pathophysiology of cardiac free wall rupture (cardiac rupture) following acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and to clarify whether reperfusion therapy prevents cardiac rupture, 1,329 cases of AMI (conventional therapy group: 807 cases and reperfusion therapy group: 533 cases) were studied retrospectively. The overall incidence of cardiac rupture was 2.3% (2.7% in the conventional therapy group vs. 1.7% in the reperfusion therapy group). Patients with cardiac rupture were divided into two subgroups according to the time interval from the onset of AMI to cardiac rupture (early rupture less than or equal to 72 h and late rupture greater than or equal to 4 days). The indices of initial evolution of AMI was a significant risk of early cardiac rupture. The reperfusion therapy group showed significantly lower incidence of late rupture (0.4 vs. 1.5% in conventional therapy group; p less than 0.05). The incidence of cardiac rupture in the unsuccessful reperfusion therapy group was higher than that of the successful group (5.9% of 118 cases vs. 0.5% of 404 cases; p less than 0.05). It is concluded that the etiology of cardiac rupture following AMI cannot be explained by any single factor. Early rupture depends on the initial evolution of AMI, and early reperfusion and collateral flow prevent the late onset cardiac rupture.     

用光学相干断层扫描比较两种类型冠心病受累血管病变的特点

目的：用光学相干断层扫描（OCT）比较急性心肌梗死（AMI）及稳定型心绞痛（SAP）受累血管病变的特征。方法：选取140例接受冠脉造影（CAG）及OCT检查的患者,其中61例AMI患者,79例SAP患者。分析患者的临床相关信息,用OCT评价受累血管的病变特点。结果：纤维帽厚度在AMI组比SAP组薄［（45±13） μm vs.（80±39） μm,P〈0.01）］;薄纤维帽富含脂质的斑块更多见于AMI组（56% vs. 25%,P〈0.01）;血栓更多见于AMI组（52% vs. 5%,P〈0.01）;斑块破裂的发生率分别是（67% vs. 25%）,P〈0.01）,溃疡和夹层等较重的斑块破裂均发生AMI组;4个象限的富含脂质斑块更易出现在AMI组;钙化斑块的深度及广度在2组间没有明显区别,但≥2象限的钙化斑块有多见SAP组趋势。结论：OCT能准确评价冠状动脉受累血管病变的病变特点及结构特征。AMI患者脂质斑块纤维帽更薄,更多见斑块破裂、血栓及不稳定脂质斑块。     

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction caused by unprotected left main stem thrombosis

Background: There is a paucity of data on outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) caused by left main stem (LMS) thrombosis. Objectives: We sought to determine (i) the clinical features, (ii) correlates of early mortality, and (iii) long‐term outcomes in contemporary patients undergoing primary PCI for unprotected LMS thrombosis. Methods: From 1,115 consecutive primary PCI cases at two tertiary referral centers between January 2004 and September 2007, 28 cases (2.5%) with unprotected LMS culprit lesions were identified. Data were obtained from review of institutional databases, folder audit, telephone survey of patients, and independent review of angiograms. Results: The mean age of patients was 68 ± 14 years. Males comprised 76%, and 21% had diabetes. Significant morbidity was noted at presentation: shock in 18 (62%), pulmonary oedema in 15 (52%), and cardiac arrest in 10 (35%) patients, respectively. Lesion location was ostial in 7 (25%), body in 8 (29%), and distal in 13 (46%) patients, respectively. Angiographic success was achieved in 24 patients (83%). Stents were deployed in 27 patients (96%); drug‐eluting stents in 11 patients (39%). No patient required in‐hospital CABG. Cumulative in‐hospital mortality was 36%. Univariate predictors of in‐hospital mortality included shock, preceding cardiac arrest, and angiographic failure (all P < 0.05). At a mean follow‐up of 26 ± 12 months in hospital survivors, there were two TVR (elective CABGs), one death, and no reinfarctions. Conclusion: We report a lower than previously reported in‐hospital mortality of 36% in contemporary patients undergoing primary PCI for unprotected LMS thrombosis. Long‐term outcomes in hospital survivors appear favorable. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

急性心肌梗死并发室间隔穿孔患者的临床特征分析

目的 探讨急性心肌梗死（AMI）并发室间隔穿孔（VSR）患者的临床特征及冠状动脉病变特点,为早期识别高危患者提供理论依据。方法 入选1995年1月至2010年1月解放军总医院心内科收治的AMI患者2544例,将并发VSR的患者作为VSR组（n＝40）;同时采用单纯随机抽取的方法,在同期住院的其余AMI患者中选出120例患者作为对照组（n＝120）。回顾性地分析两组患者的临床资料及冠状动脉造影特征。结果 VSR组患者中女性所占比例（62.5% vs 36.4%,P＜0.01）和年龄[（66.85±10.92） vs （60.79±12.65）岁,P＜0.01] 均显著高于对照组患者。 VSR组的C?反应蛋白（CRP）、D?二聚体、血肌酐（SCr）、肌钙蛋白T（TnT）均显著高于对照组,而血红蛋白（Hb）、红细胞压积（Hct）和红细胞计数（RBC）均显著低于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论 女性,高龄,CRP、D?二聚体、SCr、TnT升高,Hb、Hct、RBC降低,可作为AMI并发VSR的高危因素。     

Primary angioplasty reduces risk of myocardial rupture compared to thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction

Although the mechanical complications of acute ventricular septal defect and acute mitral regurgitation are uncommon after acute myocardial infarction, these complications are associated with an extremely high morbidity and mortality. We hypothesized that the administration of thrombolytic drugs may result in hemorrhagic infarction as well as the potential for incomplete revascularization and thus may lead to an increased incidence of mechanical complications compared to primary angioplasty. Accordingly, we reviewed the data of the most contemporary thrombolytic and primary angioplasty trials and compared the incidence of mechanical complications among 36,303 patients treated with thrombolytics reported in the GUSTO trial to the incidence of mechanical complications among 1,295 patients treated with primary angioplasty obtained from the PAMI-1 and PAMI-2 trials. We found that angioplasty resulted in an overall 86% relative risk reduction in mechanical complications (2.20% vs. 0.31%, P < 0.001). In comparison to thrombolytic therapy, angioplasty resulted in an 82% decrease in acute mitral regurgitation (1.73% vs. 0.31%, P < 0.001) and a 100% decrease in acute ventricular septal defect (0.47% vs. 0.00%, P < 0.03). In conclusion, in patients with acute myocardial infarction, reperfusion with primary angioplasty is associated with less myocardial rupture and mechanical complications than thrombolytics. This finding may, in part, explain the improved prognosis observed in myocardial infarction patients treated with primary angioplasty. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 42:151–157, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Prediction of rupture in acute myocardial infarction

In two patient series including 809 and 327 patients, respectively, with acute myocardial infarction we have compared those who died in myocardial rupture (verified at autopsy, Group A) with those who died without rupture (autopsied, Group B), and those who survived hospitalization (Group C) with regard to previous history and clinical course in hospital. Rupture among autopsied patients was observed in 45% and 40% of the cases in the respective studies. Previous infarction was observed in each study as 0% and 0% in Group A compared with 25% and 31% in Group B, and 20% and 34% in Group C. Previous angina pectoris was observed in 26% and 22% in Group A compared with 50% and 54% in Group B and 52% and 54% in Group C. Maximum serum enzyme activity in Group A did not differ from Group B, but was higher than in Group C (p less than 0.001). Group A patients tended to have a higher initial pain score and a higher requirement of analgesics compared with other groups, whereas initial heart rate or systolic blood pressure did not differ in these patients compared to others. We thus conclude that patients with myocardial rupture have a very low occurrence of previous myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, and that their pain course appears to be particularly severe in the acute phase.     

Lesion characteristics of acute myocardial infarction: an investigation with intravascular ultrasound

OBJECTIVE—To use intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) to compare plaque morphology in acute myocardial infarction and stable angina pectoris.
DESIGN—Retrospective study.
SETTING—Primary care hospital.
PATIENTS—59 consecutive cases of acute myocardial infarction and 50 consecutive cases of stable angina pectoris.
METHODS—IVUS was used before coronary intervention.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES—Plaque morphology (incidence of eccentric plaque, subtle dissections, low echoic thrombus, calcification, echolucent areas, and bright speckled echo material), assessed visually using IVUS.
RESULTS—There were no significant differences in plaque eccentricity or calcification between the two groups, but low echoic thrombus (acute myocardial infarction 15% v stable angina pectoris 0%), subtle dissections (37% v 4%), echolucent areas (31% v 0%), and bright speckled echo material (90% v 0%) were more common in the infarction group than in the stable angina group (p < 0.001 for all). There was a longer time between the onset of symptoms and the IVUS examination in patients with low echoic thrombus than in those without (p < 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS—Low echoic thrombus, subtle dissections, echolucent areas, and bright speckled echo material are morphological characteristics associated with plaque at the time of acute myocardial infarction. These findings correspond pathologically to ruptured plaque.


Keywords: intravascular ultrasound; acute myocardial infarction; plaque morphology     

急性心肌梗死患者纤维蛋白原含量与冠状动脉病变程度及预后有关

目的探讨纤维蛋白原（FIB）含量与急性心肌梗死（AMI）冠脉病变程度及预后的关系。方法根据AMI初期FIB含量将90例AMI分为两组,A组FIB值>4 g/L,B组FIB值≤4 g/L。将两组冠脉造影结果及预后进行比较分析。结果A组多支血管病变33例（占73%）、梗死相关血管近端病变36例（占80%）、心力衰竭10例（占22%）、严重心律失常14例（占31%）、梗死后心绞痛11例（占24%）,与B组分项比较差异显著（P<0.05）。结论FIB增多的急性AMI多为多支血管病变,梗死相关血管多为近端病变,预后不好。     

Acute myocardial infarction and large coronary thrombosis in a patient with COVID-19

This is a case report of a 60-year-old male, without any cardiovascular risk factor and no cardiac history admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After 7 days, the blood tests showed a significant rise of inflammatory and procoagulant markers, along with a relevant elevation of high-sensitivity Troponin I. Electrocardiogram and transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) were consistent with a diagnosis of infero-posterolateral acute myocardial infarction and the patient was transferred to the isolated Cath Lab for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The angiography showed an acute massive thrombosis of a dominant right coronary artery without clear evidence of atherosclerosis. Despite the optimal pharmacological therapies and different PCI techniques, the final TIMI flow was 0/1 and after 3 hr the clinical condition evolved in cardiac arrest for pulseless electric activity. Acute coronary syndrome–ST-elevation myocardial infarction is a relevant complication of COVID-19. Due to high levels of proinflammatory mediators, diffuse coronary thrombosis could occur even in patients without cardiac history or comorbidities. This clinical case suggests that coronary thrombosis in COVID-19 patients may be unresponsive to optimal pharmacological (GP IIb–IIIa infusion) and mechanical treatment (PCI).     

Cholesterol crystals cause mechanical damage to biological membranes: a proposed mechanism of plaque rupture and erosion leading to arterial thrombosis

BACKGROUND: Plaque rupture and/or erosion is the leading cause of cardiovascular events; however, the process is not well understood. Although certain morphologic characteristics have been associated with ruptured plaques, these observations are of static histological images and not of the dynamics of plaque rupture. To elucidate the process of plaque rupture, we investigated the transformation of cholesterol from liquid to solid crystal to determine whether growing crystals are capable of injuring the plaque cap. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that during cholesterol crystallization the spatial configuration rapidly changes, causing forceful expansion of sharp-edged crystals that can damage the plaque cap. METHODS: Two experiments were performed in vitro: first, cholesterol powder was melted in graduated cylinders and allowed to crystallize at room temperature. Volume changes from liquid to solid state were measured and timed. Second, thin biological membranes (20-40 microm) were put in the path of growing crystals to determine damage during crystallization. RESULTS: As cholesterol crystallized, the peak volume increased rapidly by up to 45% over 3 min and sharp-tipped crystals cut through and tore membranes. The amount of cholesterol and peak level of crystal growth correlated directly (r = 0.98; p < 0.01), as did the amount of cholesterol and rate of crystal growth (r = 0.99; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that crystallization of supersaturated cholesterol in atherosclerotic plaques can induce cap rupture and/or erosion. This novel insight may help in the development of therapeutic strategies that can alter cholesterol crystallization and prevent acute cardiovascular events.     

急性心肌梗死患者合并心脏破裂的分析

目的:观察急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者发生心脏破裂的特点。方法:连续入选2004年1月至2006年2月收入我院心内科监护室(CCU)确诊为AMI患者共1324例,经超声心动图证实心脏破裂18例。结果:前壁梗死509例,下壁梗死528例,非ST段抬高心肌梗死287例。发生心脏破裂18例(1.36%),其中游离壁破裂9例,室间隔穿孔9例。13例发病72h内破裂,5例在发病4～7d破裂。男性8例(8/973,0.82%),女性10例(10/351,2.85%),女性明显高于男性(P=0.005)。发生心脏破裂患者年龄[(72.6±8.2)岁]明显高于无破裂者[(63.3±12.2)岁,P=0.000]。成功再灌注治疗者心脏破裂发生率(5/575,0.87%)明显少于无再灌注者(13/749,1.74%,P=0.041)。所有合并心脏破裂者全部死亡。前壁梗死合并心脏破裂的发生明显多于下壁和非ST段抬高心肌梗死(2.16%,1.32%,0%,P=0.041)。结论:AMI合并心脏破裂的发生率为1.36%,其预后极差。女性、高龄、前壁梗死患者易于发生心脏破裂。成功再灌注治疗减少心脏破裂的发生。     

Percutaneous reperfusion of left main coronary disease complicated by acute myocardial infarction.

Previous studies have shown a benefit of a strategy of direct angioplasty and stenting in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by early cardiogenic shock. However, few data exist for the subset of patients with left main trunk disease complicated by AMI and cardiogenic shock. We performed an analysis of patients with AMI who underwent mechanical intervention between January 1995 and December 2000. Out of 1,433 patients with ST segment elevation AMI treated with primary coronary angioplasty (PTCA), 22 patients (1.5%) had left main disease (LMD) as the culprit lesion. Baseline characteristics were age, 66 +/- 11 years; female gender, 9%; diabetes, 14%; previous myocardial infarction, 14%; mean systolic blood pressure, 77 +/- 24 mm Hg; time to treatment, 4.8 +/- 2.2 hr; TIMI 0-1, 77%; collateral flow (Rentrop grade >or= 2) 9%. The primary success rate was 91%. Primary stenting was performed in 17 patients (77%). The in-hospital mortality rate was 50%. All deaths were due to refractory shock. The 6-month survival rate was 41% +/- 1%, while the event-free survival rate was 27% +/- 10%. At 6-month follow-up, the mortality rate increased to 59%; the target vessel revascularization rate was 14%. A percutaneous mechanical intervention strategy in patients with left main disease complicated by AMI is feasible and effective, and patients discharged alive have a good mid-term prognosis.     

Cannabis-induced coronary artery thrombosis and acute anterior myocardial infarction in a young man

Information concerning acute myocardial infarction after cannabis usage is limited and the actual mechanism of cannabis-induced myocardial infarction is not well known. In the report, we described a young man with an acute myocardial infarction and cannabis-induced coronary thrombosis.     

Risk factors for cardiac rupture after acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction during the percutaneous coronary intervention era: a retrospective case-control study

BackgroundIn percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) era, more clinically valuable risk factors are still needed to determine the occurrence of cardiac rupture (CR). Therefore, we aimed to provide evidence for the early identification of CR in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).MethodsA total of 22,016 consecutive patients with STEMI admitted to Cangzhou Central Hospital and Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2013 to July 2021 were retrospectively included, among which 195 patients with CR were included as CR group. From the rest 21,820 STEMI patients without CR, 390 patients at a ratio of 1:2 were included as the control group. A total of 66 patients accepted PCI in the CR group, and 132 patients who accepted PCI in the control group at a ratio of 1:2 were included. The status of first medical contact, laboratory examinations, and PCI characteristics were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors related to CR.ResultsThere was a higher proportion of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) in the high lateral wall in the CR group (23.6% vs. 8.2%, P<0.001). The proportion of single lesions was lower in the CR group (24.2% vs. 45.5%, P=0.004). Female (OR =2.318, 95% CI: 1.431–3.754, P=0.001), age (OR =1.066, 95% CI: 1.041–1.093, P<0.001), smoking (OR =1.750, 95% CI: 1.086–2.820, P=0.022), total chest pain time (OR =1.017, 95% CI: 1.000–1.035, P=0.049), recurrent acute chest pain (OR =2.750, 95% CI: 1.535–4.927, P=0.001), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in the high lateral wall indicated by ECG (OR =5.527, 95% CI: 2.798–10.918, P<0.001), acute heart failure (OR =3.585, 95% CI: 2.074–6.195, P<0.001), and NT-proBNP level (OR =1.000, 95% CI: 1.000–1.000, P=0.023) were risk factors for CR in all patients. In patients who accepted PCI, single lesion (OR =0.421, 95% CI: 0.204–0.867, P=0.019), preoperative thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) grade (OR =0.358, 95% CI: 0.169–0.760, P=0.007), and postoperative TIMI grade (OR =0.222, 95% CI: 0.090–0.546, P=0.001) were risk factors for CR.ConclusionsNon-single lesions and preoperative and postoperative TIMI grades were risk factors for CR in patients who accepted PCI. In addition to previously reported indicators, we found that AMI in the high lateral wall maybe helpful in early and accurate identification and prevention of possible CR.     

QT dispersion and prognosis after coronary stent placement in acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: QT dispersion is increased in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the relation of QT dispersion to prognosis has not yet been fully elucidated. HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study is to evaluate prospectively whether QT dispersion is associated with the risk of major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) and mortality after successful coronary stenting in AMI. METHODS: One hundred and forty-two patients with AMI and undergoing successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were enrolled in this study. Corrected QT dispersion was measured before and 24 h after PCI. RESULTS: During a period of 4477 person-months, we confirmed 21 cases of MACE. Univariate analysis indicated that corrected QT dispersion before and 24 h after PCI, age, number of Q waves, and Killip class > or = 2 were related to MACE and mortality. By multivariate analysis, corrected QT dispersion before PCI was an independent predictor of MACE and mortality, but corrected QT dispersion at 24 h after PCI was not statistically associated with MACE and mortality. Multiple-adjusted hazard ratios for a 1 standard deviation (SD) magnitude increase in corrected QT dispersion before PCI were 2.24 (95% confidence interval, 1.36-3.68, p = 0.001) for MACE and 2.71 (95% confidence interval, 1.50-4.89, >) for mortality after adjustment for age, gender, ejection fraction, and Killip class > or = 2. CONCLUSIONS: Corrected QT dispersion before PCI is associated with an increased risk of MACE and mortality after successful PCI in patients with AMI.